do you like it dirty?

[grim]

before anyone says anything about it, yes i searched. if this is a repeat, then <shrug>...

when picking, does it make a difference if the internals are clean or dirty? i can see potential for either state being helpful:

1. clean could allow for smoother operation of the pins/wafers/whatever.

2. dirty could help them bind at the shearline.

so what do you folks think? is it best to clean the lock before having at it, or is it best to just leave it "al fresco" and then clean it when done? (remember, i'm a newbie, so please be gentle.)

[Shrub]

I think you will find it much easier to keep your practice locks clean, personally as a lockie the dirty the better as thats what is found on the door.

[CPLP]

(remember, i'm a newbie, so please be gentle.)

Well, I like it clean. Less forces required to beat by the pick. And I think They are easier to open. Dirty ones just have a lot of friction force.

[paul1982]

I always say leave it as it at first try to pick it for a bit, if it does't work give it a clean and give it a go. That way you get to try it both ways and find out.

[illusion]

I read the title and thought that my days of using Myspace for dating were over - an open offer for getting dirty.

But alas!

With 'coming out the closet' done, back on topic:

I don't like picking dirty locks... it tends to give me less feel whilst picking, and if you add corrosion within the lock, and other kinds of nastiness then it becomes annoying. U tried picking a simple padlock which had been left in my garden for 2 weeks on the floor - it was filled with such gunk that Linda Lovelace would seem clean. It was a different feeling to say the least...

[SteveW]

I think your going to find two clear schools of thought on this. The Trading Lockies are going to like to leave locks as they found them, and the Hobbieists are going to go for cleaner locks for more efficient picking.

Most of my practice locks are locks that ive picked up on various jobs and i like to keep them as i found them. Then the locks i practice on give me a better representation of work i will be doing inb the field

Cheers
Steve

[Gundanium]

Idealy you want a clean lock, you get the general feel for a lock, then dirty ones are a step up in terms of getting the "feeling," but if you prefer a clean lock you might try lubing the lock (dirty talk).
One way to lube a lock is to:
Fold a small piece of paper in half, and rub a pencil back and forth until you get a generous amount of 'graphite', then use the folded edge to funnel the graphite into the lock, blow it in by the way.

I don't suggest doing this on a clean lock that you are using to learn, it can foil the overall "feel" in the correct manner, it speeds it up quite a bit in some cases and makes raking a bit easier as the pins vibrate at a higher frequency.

[Bahrg]

I have a ton of old dirty padlocks.... I hate trying to pick them. Unfortunately they are all wafer or warded so not great in the first place. But so much pressure is required to move around the wafers its uncomfortable. I would go for a clean lubed lock any day

[vector40]

I wouldn't lube a dirty lock with graphite. (Actually, using graphite at all is a contentious issue, and many locksmiths prefer not to.) I'd clean it first with a degreaser (WD-40 or whatever), then proceed to the powdered graphite or preferably a nice synthetic (Teflon, silicone, whateven) spray.

[Kevo]

Whenever I come across a new lock I always try to pick it at least once as it is. If I can't seem to get it I clean it and then pick it. I find it much easier to pick locks when they are clean. you can get a better feel for whats going on. Nice clicking sounds are made instead of just mushy no feeling of what you are doing. If I was going into a locksmithing business I wouldn't clean my locks. If it is just for fun it is a lot easier when they are clean.

[sams choice]

I dont like picking dirty locks. Like many others said, it does not let me get a feel for the actual lock. I pick locks for a hobby and for fun, and me being able to feel the inside of a lock give me a warm feeling of the thought and the process it took to make that lock. I like picking locks because i am amazed by them still. Especially ones that are complex, but still use a simple key (medeco Biaxial). If it is dirty, i feel like i am not giving the lock its full potential. It was not made to be dirty. on the other hand, i really enjoy the challenge. i have a chateau padlock that is rusted and dirty, and it has some really high cuts followed by really low ones. This makes it fun for me to be able to be so forceful, yet gentle at the same time. Its like i am making love to a lock, except i am the one that is happy, and the lock is crying in defeat.

[raimundo]

Most of the time dirt will hinder picking, not help. but there is always the exception to the rule, the one lock where dirt actually fouls the locking mechanism in some way that is exploitable. Dirt will not help pins hang at the shear, but it will help pins hang in other places. when a pin is under cross tension from the plug, and is being pushed up by a pick, and pushed down weakly by a spring, dirt will help bind it in the pin channel. What is really needed is some smooth action to help that weak spring push the pin down smoothly to the shear, not grit to bind it all the way down.
Clean locks pick best. but on certain autos and other applications, locks are not kept clean and if you must pick one of these, use the wd 40. remember, this lube is good for the job at hand, do not use it for longterm lube, it won't last.

[speero]

it all boils down to why you pick if it is for COMPLETELY LEGAL uses or if it is as an interesting hobby if its the first it might help to get used to picking dirty locks whereasas a hobby it might just be enoying (which might be what you want
speero

[illusion]

I have no idea what you just tried to say....

[EGOOT247]

I have no idea what you just tried to say....

Um... I think he meant that 'hobby picking doesn't fit "COMPLETELY LEGAL" picking.' ...

He also tried to point out (In a run-on sentence) that if you are a hobby picker, dirty locks are "enoying" (translation: Annoying).

It is just an "idea..." I really don't know for sure either, but hey.

I am not being mean, am I? I am sorry... I don't mean to offend anyone. Speero, please don't get mad.